31 Facts About Akihiro Gono

Akihiro Gono was born on October 7,1974 and is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division.

Akihiro Gono began fighting mixed martial arts in 1994, competing in the Lumax Cup tournaments as a Sambo and Karate representative.

Akihiro Gono got a win over Kazunari Murakami via head kick, but lost to him in their rematch the next year.

Akihiro Gono originally debuted in Fighting Network Rings's undercard, but he moved to Shooto after the Lumax Cup.

Akihiro Gono's run there was uneventful, although he drew Jutaro Nakao and led Matt Hughes to a decision in his first years.

Akihiro Gono left Shooto for Pancrase in 2001 and became a member of Sanae Kikuta's Grabaka team.

Akihiro Gono again showed improvement, beating twice renowned Keiichiro Yamamiya and Chris Haseman and having a spirited match with Yuki Kondo, as well as a draw with Chael Sonnen.

Akihiro Gono stopped fighting for Pancrase in 2005 in order to focus in PRIDE Fighting Championships, though still as a Grabaka member.

Akihiro Gono began fighting in PRIDE Bushido with Bushido 2 in 2004, facing Murilo's brother Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

Akihiro Gono avoided Rua's first flurries with an elusive style, throwing Rua to the mat twice, but he was knocked out via punches and kicks when Rua finally caught him.

However, Akihiro Gono recovered from his defeat at his next event, facing Gracie family member Rodrigo Gracie.

In September 2005, Akihiro Gono took part in the PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix.

Akihiro Gono became controversial for criticizing Ryo Chonan and Masanori Suda's performances and right to fight in the tournament, somewhat they called off on him back.

At the first round, Akihiro Gono won an upset over Daniel Acacio, showing one more time his ability to avoid damage in stand-up and counterattack.

In 2006, Akihiro Gono returned to PRIDE, this time playing a new character, DJ Gozma, a parody of Japanese musician DJ OZMA.

Akihiro Gono participated in the next edition of the Welterweight Grand Prix, defeating Cuban Olympic judoka Hector Lombard on the first round.

Characteristically, Akihiro Gono avoided the damage from Lombard's aggressive initial combinations and countered him with hard punches, keeping his hands unorthodoxly low and throwing spinning backfists.

However, Akihiro Gono was eliminated at the semifinals by Denis Kang.

Akihiro Gono defeated Tamdan McCrory at UFC 78, by submission due to an Armbar at 3:19 of the second round.

Akihiro Gono then took on Dan Hardy at UFC 89, but suffered defeat via split decision.

Akihiro Gono was left swollen and bloodied by several of Hardy's left hooks.

Akihiro Gono lost to Jon Fitch in a preliminary bout at UFC 94: St Pierre vs Penn 2.

Akihiro Gono then fought Yoon Young Kim at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11 winning the fight via unanimous decision.

Akihiro Gono fought Diego Gonzalez at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12 winning the fight via unanimous decision.

Akihiro Gono made his Lightweight debut against Kyokushin kaikan expert Jadamba Narantungalag at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 14 on August 22,2010.

Akihiro Gono was photographed in the VIP area at ONE Fighting Championship: Champion vs Champion leading to multiple websites speculating that he was about to sign a multi-fight deal with ONE Fighting Championship.

Just under a year after he announced his retirement, Akihiro Gono returned to MMA when he faced Taisuke Okuno at DEEP: 62nd Impact on April 26,2013.

Akihiro Gono had problems in the standup fight against the taller Brazilian, but seconds away for the end of the fight, Akihiro Gono submitted Garvon via technical submission.

Akihiro Gono won his second fight in Brazil at The Hill Fighters 2 against Andre de Jesus via split decision.

Akihiro Gono lost to Bovy Sor Udomson via TKO in round one at Shootboxing 2012: Act 4 on September 17,2012, in Tokyo, Japan, failing to qualify for the 2012 S-Cup.

Akihiro Gono lost to Satoru Suzuki by TKO at the end of round one in a reserve bout at the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2012 in Tokyo, Japan on November 17,2012.